Mitchell Johnson bags 200th wicket

 

Wednesday 26 December 2012 22:02 GMT
Comments
Mitchell Johnson claimed four wickets on the first day against Sri Lanka
Mitchell Johnson claimed four wickets on the first day against Sri Lanka (EPA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Mitchell Johnson put in a timely pre-Ashes performance with a four-wicket haul to take him to 200 career scalps and help dismiss Sri Lanka for a paltry 156 on the first day of the second Test in Melbourne.

With fellow new-ball bowler Mitchell Starc rested from the Australia line-up and paceman Jackson Bird making his debut, the onus was on Johnson to perform. And as the home bowlers dominated Sri Lanka, despite Kumar Sangakkara's defiant 58 that included his 10,000th Test run, he was overjoyed to make his mark.

"It makes me very happy to be in that 200 club now, but the main result out here today was the way we performed and the way we went out and did it," Johnson said.

Warner fired a 46-ball 62 for Australia to give the home team a solid platform to their first innings, before he was caught by Dhammika Prasad off Angelo Mathews. Phil Hughes was then dismissed in an embarrassing run out when he found himself at the same end as batting partner Ed Cowan, who was out the next over off a Prasad delivery.

Captain Michael Clarke was a last-minute inclusion after declaring himself fit, having recovered from a hamstring strain in the previous Test.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in